Cage for rayon or the like



Ju/ly 31, 1945.

R. W. HOAGLAND CAGE FORRAYON OR THE LIKE 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 2 1 N VEN TR ATTORNEY f if E MV. 3

TII

July 31, 1945- R. w. HOAGLAND 2,380,526

CAQE FOR RAYON OR THE LIKE,

Filed Jne 2, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2' Eil@ v A A TTORNE Y July 31, 1945- R. w. HOAGLND CAGE FOR RAYON 0R THE LIKE Filed June 2 1943 3 Sheets-Shet 3 v INVENTOR Eegz'zal I/IHoagZan/ ATTORNEY Patented July 31, 1945- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE j l assoszs o CAGE FOR RAYON B TEE LIKE Reginald W. Hoagland, Detroit, Mieli., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Industrial Rayon Corporation, a oorporationof Delaware l Application AJune 2, 1943. Serial No. 489,343

' iz claims. (ci. zii-11.5)

This invention relates to cages for the continuous processing along a helical pathof threads,

to one type which comprises a plurality of sets of bars the 'coordinated' movements of which cause the desired advance of the thread, filament.

or the like.

This type of spinning cage is characterized by annularly spaced sets of-yarn-carrying bars centered as sets about a common axis, that axis being the axis of the cage. Generally speaking. these annularly spaced sets of bars considered as sets are not only annularly spaced about the axis of the cage, but also lle radially outwardly in their entirety each set from the' axis.

The principal object oi' my invention is to simplify the construction of such a cage to maximum degree. Scarcely subordinate, however, is another object. that of attaining a mechanically more perfect and reliable driving mechanism for the bars. Among other things, too, I desire to protect ,that driving mechanism from such deleterious action as may come from the chemicals used in the treatment of the yarn. Another important object is theattainment in such a type of drum of a-self-threading action. This action is absent from a. number of types of drums and from some drums of the type. upon which I have improvecb The objectsl of my invention are attained by the construction which I shall now describe, together with one or two modifications thereof.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 6 show the preferred form of my invention:

Figure 1 being a side elevation; Y

Figure 2 being an end elevation of the end carrying the driving mechanism;

Figure 3 being an'axial crossisection;

Figure 4 being a longitudinal section of one,

individualset of bars composing the cage;

Figure 5 being a transverse section on line B-B of Figure 4 showing the arrangement of the sealing means in particular; and I Figure 8 being 'a transaxial crossfsection of the cage of Figure 1 on the line 8-6.

Figures '7 to 9 show one modification:

Figure 9 being a vertical longitudinal `section of the set of bars shown in Figure 8 as taken on l line 9-9 of Figure '1.

Figures 10 and 11 show a second modification, particularly a modification of the driving mechanism for the bars:

Figure 10 being a plan view of the order of Figure 8; and

wFigure 11 being the longitudinal sectional view of the order of Figure 9. 1

Throughout the drawings, parts and arrar. V:ements of parts which function in the s ame manf ner in the several modifications bearsimilar reference numerals. Thus I0 is the shaft which constitutes the axis `of the cage, I I are the respective sets of bars which are annularly spaced from each other to the axis I0 and in general lie each set radially outwardly ofthe axis `Ill. I2, I3 are heads rotating with the axis I0 and supporting the sets of bars II in axially extending bearings designated generally at each end of the cage I4. The driving mechanism is designated generally I6.

The cage as a whole is carried from a fixed support diagrammatically indicated' at I8 by means of pedestals I6' which bear the shaft Ill in bearings I1. 'The cage is driven b rotating the shaft Win any suitable manner, aft l0 in turn driving the heads I2, I3 and the heads in turn rotating the sets of bars II annular-ly about the axis III.

Each set of bars Il is comprised of a multiple number of components or individual bars I8. My

Figure 7 being an end view of a segment of the cage with parts broken away and bars in section to show the construction of the4 bars and their y .of the three sets of bars shown in Figure 7; and

- each set II.

aim being simplification, I have shown a construction in which there are but two bar s I8 to In the preferred form, these bars are of approximately semicircular cross-section, arranged to carry the yarn on their semicircular outer peripheries, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 6and arranged to have relative axial sliding motion with respect to each other parallel to theirdnner transversely extending contour. They are provided with end extensions I8 which enter the bearings Il in the heads I2 and I3 and together provide a journal of circular cross-section which is adapted to rotate in the circular. bearings I4. While it is important to my invention to have the bodies of the bars segmental in form 'and likewise the end extensions thereof for the purposes which I have indicated, itis not essential in either case since, as will be obvious, an approximation of a circular movement will suiilce for carrying the yarn, and the end extensions may, if they are of section other than circular, be provided with a sleeve which will coact with the bearings Il as indeed does the'sieeve 2li one revolution o! utilized in connection with the liquid seal which I shall presently describe in connection with the bearings. In fact, this is the construction used in the principal form or the invention, that construction in which the exterior semicircular periphery of bars I9 affords the bearing directly` which the main body of the tube is bent to some circular form and its edges flanged inwardly into transverse proximity to each other and then radially flanged for strengthening and joining together. The end extensions I8 in all formsof the invention are shown as solid inserts into the ends of these sheet metal tubes of a cross-section generally semicircular and concentric with the section of the tubular main bodies. In the principal embodiment the extensions areof slightly less over-al1 cross-section, being of the crosssection of the interior of the tube, while as in Figure 1l they are of the same over-all crosssection whereby their exposed surfaces are of the same contour. These detalls may be widely changed.

(The bearings Il in the heads I2 and I3 in the forn shown are plain bearings, but ball bearings may-be used if desired. In connection with these bearings, however, I provide over-all circular liquid seals 22, These may be of any approved form. vI provide on the heads I2 and I3 to accommodate them axially inwardly projecting flanges 23. 'I'he bearing sleeves 20 contact these seals on their external peripheries adjoining the bearings I4. In connection with the 4bearing sleeves oi the principal modification and the individual bars I8 and between the individual bars themselves, I provide rubber diaphragm seals 24 vulcanized, respectively, between the bars of the sets and closing off the spaces between the bars themselves and between the bars and the bearing sleeves 20 in the region adjoining the bearings I4. To facilitate this construction, to provide for more ready vulcanization, and to afford a greater degree of axial movement, I provide enlarged inner ends 25 on the. bearing sleeves 20 which affords a greater diameter of the sealing diaphragms 2l.

Concentric with the axis 28 on each set of bars Il is provided a ,continuous annular cam surface 21 engaging with followers 28 of which there is provided one on each bar to axially reciprocate the bars I8 relative'to their axes 26 and each other. The shape of the cam is such that for a set of bars II about its axis 28, eachvbar is reciprocated forward and back once.

The extensions I8 oi' the bars I8 are projected through one of the heads, as shown the head I3, there to connect with cranks 29 for driving them. The cranks 29 are commonly connected to the yoke ring 30 of an actuating eccentric .3| fixed in relation to the pedestal support I6' on end oi' the cage by `means of its outwardly extending bearing sleeve 32 which is keyed to the bearing I1 of the pedestal. With this arrangement the cranks 23 being ilxed to the bars I8 of their respective sets II at that one end and pivotally connected to the. ring yoke-30 at the other, each set of bars II is rotated on its axis once each time the spinning cage is turned through one revolution.

As the sets are turned during the revolution of the cage the individual bars yI8 on each set are reciprocated in opposite directions by the action of the cams 2l upon followers 28 connected on the bar. The crank arms 29 in the principal form of the invention are constructed to partake in part of this motion with the bars being rendered bipartite on their outer ends as clearly appears in Figures 2. y3 and 7 by providing center kerfs 33, part of the arm of one side of the kerf being connected with one bar I8 (by rivets or other means 34) and a part of the other side of the kerf being connected to the mating bar of each set. The material of which the crank arms are made is perhaps spring steel or other material permitting continuous ilexing Without fatigue. Jointly due to this elasticity of the arms 28 and the elasticity of the sealing diaphragms 24, the cam followers 28 are retained in contact with the propelling cams 2l which provide the axial movement.

The entirety of the mechanism affording the combined axial and rotative movement of the bars and sets of bars is enclosed in a housing 35 built over them from the head I3 upon the outer face of which the mechanism is mounted. The casing is closed by a cover 36 which is removable, but normally seals the mechanisms as a unit through a bearing 31 of its inner portion about the sleeve 32 which mounts the driving eccentric 3|. A similar cover 36' with a bearing 31', is attached to the head I2. 'I'he interior of these structures I3, 35, 36 and I2, 36 may be filled with a lubricant. f

So organized my invention functions to give an helical progressive movement of yarn fed to the cage at one end and progressed toward the other., This helix results from the fact that the bars I8 of the sets, their driving cranks 29 and their reciprocating cams' 21 are arranged in such angular relation to each other that, assuming thread to be entered as indicated by the arrows at the left of Figure l, all the bars of the spinning cage in contact at any time with the yarn are moving from left to right. The bars in contact with the yarn are those whose longitudinally extending elements (here speaking of elements as one would of the elements of a cylinder, the sets of bars constituting in effect elongated cylinders, 0r the equivalent thereof) lie upon the extreme outer periphery of the geometric cross-section of the cage at large or substantially upon such pe-- riphery. Through of movement of the spinning cage and likewise through 180 of movement of each set II, the outermost bar is moving from left to right, whereas during the ensuing 180 the other bar has becomethe outermost bar and in turn moves from left to right, in the meantime the rst bar returning from right to left. Should the sets I I be composed of a greater number of bars. they may share the support of the yarn in different degree. However. I prefer for simplicitys sake the arrangement in which cach set is composed of two bars and that these two bars be each of approximately semicircular crosssection, for in this manner I not only attain the greatest simplicity. but also I avoid any change whatever in the length of the path traveled by the yarn incident to change of length or form oi contact of the sets with the turns of the helix.

It is important to observe that the arrangement I have invented provides that, while the ring yoke 30 which rotates the sets of bars about their axes 2B is carried along with the cage (note the direction ofthe arrows in' Figure 2) in the same counter-clockwise direction, the power being applied through the counterclockwise rotation of the axial shaft I and head I3, the resulting rotation of the sets is in the opposite direction, that is, clockwise, all the crank arms 29 remaining parallel. This has the eiiec't of a tendency to back the yarn oli of the reel, but inasmuch as the overall diameter of the sets II is but the merest fraction of the diameter of the cage at large, the yarn is resultantly Wound about the cage at a relatively great rate. Due to the reverse motion of the sets II, however, there is no tendency whatever for the lead-in of a wet yarn thrown upon the cage to wrap itself around the individual sets. Consequently, the cage is perfectly self-threading through the mere act of throwing the wet end of the yarn upon its outer'periphery. This selfthreading is, of course, indispensable for fast threading-in and for quick renewal of operations when thread breaks. Too, should the yarn perchance be broken intermediate the ends of the reel, there would result no confusion or tangling.

The rst modification, that of Figures 7 to 9, eliminates the self-sealing bearings, likewise eliminates the bearing sleeves 20, and constitutes the exterior circular main bodies of the sets of bars II themselves the bearing surfaces which contact directly in bearings I4.' The extensions I9 in this case are fore-shortened, functioning' mainly as connectors to the crank arms 29.

The modiiication of Figures 10 and 11, however, is more radical. Here the flexible crank arms 29 utilized in the principal form of the invention and the rst modification give way to rigid crank arms 29. These rigid crank arms 29 at their outer ends are provided with the sleeve 2 I double apertured to effect sliding drivingconnection over the semicircular ends of 'the extensions I9 and externally of circular cross-section to mate with the bearings I4. The pinV and slot connection 38 between the bearing I4 and the sleeve 2| prevents displacement from the bearing during the relative axial movements of the bars I8 and their extensions I9. rThe cam movement in this form of the invention is provided within an inner extension 39 of the bearings I4, there being provided within the inner extension 39 a cam groove 21 within which the cam followers 28 engage. I

While I have described the principal form of my invention and the two best modifications now known to me, obviously there may be many other modifications which come within the purview of the generic spirit of my invention. I intend that the annexed claims shall protect to me all modications whatsoever which fall within the generic spirit of my invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In a cage for storing and advancing yarn or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced sets of yarn or the like carrying bars constituting the periphery of the cage and centered and rotatable as sets aboutV a common axis and in which cage the yarn or the like rests commonly upon all of the sets of bars and is progressed axially of the cage along a generally helicalpath by virtue combinedly of the rotation of the sets of bars about the axis and the relative movements of the bars of the individual sets as respects each other, the improvement which consists in supporting the bars of each set by end extensions thereof which together afford a unitary journal of substantially circular cross-section and providing rotary and-relative axial movements for the bars ofthe respective sets through the ,bearing thus afforded.

2. In a storage and processing cage for yarn threads, iilaments or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced sets of yarn-carrying bars constituting the periphery of theI cage and centered and. rotatable as sets about a common axis and in which cage the yarn-or the like rests commonly upon all of the sets of bars and is progressed axially of the cage along a generally helical path by virtue combinedly of the rotation of the sets of bars about the axis and the relative movements of the bars of the individual sets as respects each other, the improvement Iwhich consists in arranging the bars of the respective sets about axes of substantially the same radial distance from the axis of the cage, deriving relative axial movements of the respective bars of the individual sets by cams located upon the axes of the `respective sets and individually engaging the bars, and deriving rotation of the sets about the said axes from an eccentric upon the axis of the spinning cage connected with the individual sets as such by crank arms connected with the individual bars of the sets to admit of the axial movement thereof during their rotation.

3. In a cage for processing yarn or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced sets of yarn-carrying bars constituting the periphery of the cage and centered and rotatable as sets about a common axis and in which cage the yarn or the like rests commonly upon all of the sets of bars and is progressed axially of the cage along a substantially helical path by virtue combinedly of driving mechanism aording both axial and rotative movement for the bars of the sets on the outer side of the heads.

4. In a cage according to claim 3, a casing on the heads which encloses the driving mechanism. 5. In a cage or reel -for yarn, laments or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced 'sets of yarn-carrying bars constituting the periphery of the cage and centered and rotatable `assets about a common axis and vin which cage the yarn or the like rests commonly upon all of the sets of bars and is progressed axially of the cage along a generally helical path by virtue combinedly of the rotation of the sets of bars about the axis and the relative movements of the bars of the individual sets as respects each other, the improvement which consists in providing a supporting head on the axis for the sets of bars, bearings in the head individual to the sets affording rotary movement to each set as such and axial movement to each bar of a set as such, liquid seals between the bars and the bearing and between the individual bars of the sets to prevent liquid fromthe bars passing into the bearing.

6. In a cage for processing yarn or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced sets of yarn-carrying barsy constituting the periphery of the cage and centered and rotatable as sets about a common axis and in which cage the yarn or the like rests commonly upon all of the sets of bars and is progressedI axially of the cage along a substantially helical path by virtue combinedly of the rotation oi.' the sets of bars about the axis and the relative movements of the bars of the individual sets as respects each other, the improvement which consists in a driving mechanism -for rotating the sets relative tc the rotation of the cage as a whole, each set about an axis and in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the set about the axis of the spinning cage, whereby the cage is self-threading of the yarn along an helical path.

7. A cage for storing and transporting threads, laments and the like, comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged elongated structures, each of said structures being rotatable about an individual axis, at least one of said structures being adapted to. impart to the thread a movement in the direction of the cage axis, means for rotating said cage about its axis in one direction at a certain circumferential speed, means for rotating said structures in the opposite direction about their axes at a circumferential speed less than the rst named speed but relative to said cage as a whole in the opposite direction so that the speed of a thread or the like supported by the cage equals the difference between the cage speed and the structure speed.

8. A cage according to claim 7, having means for holding said structures against rotation about their own individaul axes relative to the surroundings with the effect that the structures are rotated relative toand in the opposite direction to the cage as a whole.

9.4 In a device for storing and continuously advancing yarn, filament or the like comprising elongated structures arranged to form a cage or reel, means for supporting said structures, said means and ,said structures being rotated together about the axis of the cage or reel in one direction imparting to said structures a certain circumferential speed, the yarn carrying surface of said structures being moved simultaneously in axial direction of the cage or reel and circum`- ferentially thereof but relative to said cage as a whole in the opposite direction and at alesser speed than said first named speed.

10. In a cage for storing and advancing yarn or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced sets of yarn or the like carrying bars constituting the periphery of the cage and centered and rotatable as sets about a common axis and` in which cage the yarn or the like rests com-` monly upon all of the sets of bars and is progressed axially of the cage along a generally helical path by virtue combinedly of the rotation of the sets of bars about the axis and the relative movements of the bars oi the individual sets as respects each other, the improvement which consists in constituting each set of bars of a peripheral circular cross-section in which each set of bars comprises two bars of approximately semicircular cross-section aboutI an axis which is the center of said cross-section, the bars bearing the yarnvmoving in one direction while simultaneously the bars not bearing yarn move in an opposite direction.

11. In a cage for storing and advancing yarn or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced sets of yarn or the like carrying bars constituting the periphery of the cage and centered and rotatable as sets about a common axis and in which cage the yarn or the like rests commonly upon al1 of the sets of bars and is progressed axially of the cage along a generally helical path by virtue combinedly of the rotation of the sets of bars about the axis and the relative members of the bars of the individual sets as respects each other, the improvement which consists in constituting each set of bars of a peripheral circular cross-section, the sets being borne from the axis of the cage in bearings constituted by end extensions of the sets of bars also of a cross-section approximating that of a sector of a circle about an axis which is the center of said cross-section, the bars bearing yarn moving in one direction while simultaneously the bars not bearing yarn move in an opposite direction.

12. In a cage for storing and advancing yarn or the like comprised of a plurality of annularly spaced sets of yarn or the like carrying bars constituting the periphery of the cage and centered and rotatable as sets about a common axis and in which cage the yarn or the like rests commonly upon all of the sets of bars and is progressed axially of the cage along a generally helical path by virtue combinedly of the vrotation of the sets of bars about the axis and the relative movements of the bars of the individual sets as respects each other, the improvement which consists in constituting each set of bars of a peripheral circular cross-section in which each set of bars comprises a plurality of bars the outer surface of which forms a substantially continuously curvilinear surface about an axis which is the center of said cross-section, the bars bearing the yarn moving in one direction while simultaneously the bars not bearing the yarn move in an opposite direction.

REGINALD W. HOAGLAND. 

